Speaking at the press conference it was explained that the reunion came about after the band were contacted by the late record mogul’s wife.

Promoter Harvey Goldsmith explained that she and him had written the band an “emotive letter” asking them to play.

Despite initially expressing doubts, the band rehearsed in June and immediately decided to play a full, two-hour gig rather than a proposed half-hour set.

Paying tribute to Ertegun, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant declared: “During the Zeppelin years, Ahmet Ertegun was a major foundation of solidarity and accord. For us he was and remained a close friend and conspirator - this performance stands alone as our tribute to the work and the life of our long standing friend.”